Great Week

Hi! 

So this week has been MUCH better...  I didnt really explain much last week but it was seriously one of the hardest weeks on my mission.  NOTHING was going right.  I thought it was going to get even worse when everything fell through last monday night but the Lord really knows what he is doing and if we press forward we see the blessings.  I was frusterated monday night and Elder Dransfield (the AP) called and asked if I could give a 25 minute workshop (which is just like a talk or lesson or presentation)  in training meeting for the trainers and new missionaries on planning and companion study.  I thought that was ironic considering my planning obviously sucked because it never worked out haha but I am so so so grateful I was asked to do that, I learned so much.  The workshop went well and I feel like I did an ok job.  Everyone said I did well and Elder Dransfield called me last night and let me know how much him and the other AP and president liked it so that made me feel good. My plans this week worked out much better and we taught a lot and had some awesome lessons.  It is still hard because Elder Buxton is still trying to figure it all out so I do most of the planning and stuff but he is learning so that is good!  

So like I said we had training meeting this week in Cleveland.  It was so weird being there... I couldnt believe it has been as long as it has since my own training meeting. I had to drive all the way there this time though. haha It isnt fun driving in downtown Cleveland though, but we made it safe.  After, we got to go contacting downtown like I did and even though it was freezing it was so fun.  I was with Elder Hargis (the one that knows the Johnsons and went to the ranch a couple months ago)  He is an awesome kid I really like him.  It would have been fun to train him.  But we talked to a ton of people and gave out like 4 Books of Mormon.  It was cool I had one of those like totally random promptings and was walking and then all the sudden I just felt like I needed to turn around and talk to these people at a bus stop so I did and didnt say anything to Elder Hargis it was just like I did a 180 and started talking haha it was cool but anyway we ended up talking to these 2 people and one had taken a tour of the Johnson Farm and was really interested in meeting with missionaries so that was really cool.

This Tuesday we get to go to Kirtland for Chirstmas conference so I am way excited for that.  We have a meeting and testimony meeting in the Kirtland temple!  I guess last year they had the sacrament in the temple but president had to get 1st presidency permission to do that so we might get to do it again this year I dont know.  I am very excited, I love having Kirtland in my mission.   Thats cool president sent everyone a letter. haha He is VERY on top of it. haha He is like all business, all the time.  He is probably one of the most on top of it mission presidents in the world... he doesnt mess around.  We are very lucky to have him. 

Elder Buxton is doing awesome.  I like him a lot and he is working hard and learning a lot.  He is planning on going to USU when he gets home so that is why he has the shirt haha.  He isnt a big sports fan though, but thats ok it keeps me focused when my companion doesnt like sports I decided haha.

I figured I should tell you the ward is taking very good care of us.  At the Christmas party Saturday night they had us come up and gave us a big box of all kinds of stuff! It was very nice, we have an awesome ward.  So we are good on hand warmers, chap stick, tooth paste, envelopes, stamps and junk food haha. 

I did get the Cds and dvds you sent and LOVE them! We have used that Christmas one a ton this week,  but the one with the rest of the movies on it doesnt work.  Im not sure if it is just our DVD player or what but the Christmas ones work great.  So I dont know if you can do this but some missionaries have a DVD of a ton of the "Mormon Messages" on them and they are awesome for teaching so I was wondering if you could make me one.  If you cant or its hard to do, dont worry about it.  Thats ok you didnt get me much for Christmas haha I really dont need much! So remember that because christmas in July sounds good to me :)   haha  I am glad you talked to Elder Johnsons mom! haha thats cool!  He is hitting his year mark tomorrow... CRAZY!  So there were no underlined questions so I hope I answered all of them haha but as for Sunday we are going over to the stake presidents house and they will either have a computer or an I pad so I will be able to skype or do facetime or whatever but I will call you before and we will figure it out.  Its gonna be so weird!  haha At first it was weird not talking to you but now its so normal for me its gonna be weird to actually talk haha.  I am very excited though!!  I will talk to you Sunday!  Love and miss you!!

Elder Skalla